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Originally from Earth, Morden was born on Monday, May 25 2223 in Summit, New Jersey. While studying for his Ph.D. in archaeology at Michigan State University, Morden took his first job as a teenager in the University bookstore. After graduating with a speciality in archaeolinguistics Morden found employment working for Earthforce's New Technologies Division, during which time he visited several worlds and dig sites including Anfran. In June 2248 he married his wife and almost two years later in May 2250 she gave birth to their daughter Sarah. In February of that year Morden gave a speech before the Interplanetary Archaeological Society on the misconceptions surrounding Anfran love stones, one of his earliest research projects as an archaeolinguist.[2]

In May 2256 tragedy struck when his wife and daughter were killed when the ship they were travelling on was caught in the terrorist bombing of the Iojumpgate that claimed over five hundred other passengers. Images of a distressed and grief-stricken Morden being harassed by insensitive reporters were broadcast on ISN. Morden later moved to Station Prime.[1][3]

Morden was still working for Earthforce New Technologies when he was assigned 'on loan' to IPX for Dr. Chang's archaeological team aboard the Icarus in December of 2256.[1]
The Icarus was an Interplanetary Expeditions exploratory ship that set down on Z'ha'dum in 2257, in which the crew came into contact with the newly awakened Shadows.[4][5]
During the flight, he was befriended by Dr. Anna Sheridan who during the ship's new years party, gave him an Anfran love stone, an artifact from one of his previous expeditions which she had taken from his quarters the day before and had put on a necklace. Shocked that he failed to notice it was missing from his quarters, Morden puts it around his neck and decides to keep it with him, always.[1]

Morden returned to civilization in 2258 on Babylon 5 with the purpose of asking each of the main races a single question, "What do you want?" He was secretly working for the Shadows; they used this question to see whether or not the ambassadors and races fit their needs.[6] Although at first AmbassadorG'Kar showed promise, he had no great ambition beyond revenge; however, he discovers that Londo Mollari is the perfect candidate for their needs and seizes an opportunity to put Londo in his debt and on the path his "associates" need him to be.[7] With his help he convinces Londo to allow the Shadows to lend their support in the fight against the Narn, allowing them to sweep through to victory without the Centauri losing a single fighter.[8]

Morden travelled to the Techno-Mages in December of 2258. His presence disturbed Elric, who proceeded to investigate his past. Elric then surmised he was an agent of the Shadows.[3]

When it is discovered who Morden is and where he came from John Sheridan tries to find out detailed information on why he's the lone survivor of the Icarus. Delenn and Kosh explain to Sheridan the truth about what happened, and that the Icarus was not actually destroyed but that when they arrived on Z'ha'dum they had awakened the Shadows who forced the humans to either serve them or be killed.[4]

Evidence is later discovered that Morden had a hand in helping President Clark to assassinate President Santiago.

In 2260 he secretly caused the death of Adira Tyree to convince Londo Mollari to continue to work with the Shadows by causing him to become emotional and vulnerable and placing the blame solely on Lord Refa - his closest ally. He was also present when the Shadows killed Ambassador Kosh.[9] Morden was present when John Sheridan destroyed the Shadows' main capital city.[5] He was nearly killed, but Galen and Lorien, who were also present, rescued him. Morden suffered a great amount of damage to his skin, but quickly recovered.[10]

Morden, on Centauri Prime, burned up after Capt. John Sheridan nuked the capital city on Z'ha'dum.

In early 2261 he was assigned to Centauri Prime to serve as the intermediary for the Shadows and Emperor Cartagia as the small island of Selini was being used as a base of operations for Shadow forces.[11] Soon after Cartagia is killed, Londo orders Morden killed to save Centauri Prime from being destroyed by the Vorlons. Morden's head is placed on a pike which Vir Cotto gratefully acknowledges with a small wave (his answer to "What do you want?" included seeing Morden's head on a pike).[12]

Morden appears in the non-canon novel Clark's Law, in which he intervenes and somehow manages to resurrect Londo after an attempt on his life. Later, he also arranges for the Tuchanq serial killer D'arc to be separated from the rest of her race, ostensibly for her own protection.

According to Jeanne Cavelos, J. Michael Straczynski had originally conceived Morden as "a low-level technician on the Icarus, who was jealous of Anna's education and success", though when she handed in her synopsis for "The Shadow Within", Straczynski "...never asked me to change Morden from the way I'd envisioned him."[14]